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Climate change is an issue which directly affects all Canadians. It is also an issue which often confuses us and leaves us feeling powerless to help. But it doesn't have to be. Simple lifestyle choices can make a positive difference.

With household and personal greenhouse gas emissions in Canada representing nearly half of the country's total, there is a lot that we can do to reduce our impact on climate change and other forms of pollution. Together we can reduce our impact by driving less, reducing home heating fuel use, electricity use, water use and the amount of garbage we produce.

Between 1990 and 2005 there was an increase of 29.2% in emissions from vehicles alone or an increase of 37 million tonnes of green house gases, particularly carbon dioxide. (source: Environment Canada).

Also in that time period, GHG emissions from landfill waste increased by about 4.8 million tonnes or 20.7%. Most of this was from decomposing garbage that has ended up in landfill sites (source: Environment Canada).

	Direct Impact The total of all household greenhouse gas emissions in Canada represents close to half of the country's total (46.9% in 2002). Direct emissions come from burning home heating fuel and personal automobile use, whereas indirect emissions result from hydro use, water use, and the purchasing of other household goods. Click here to get started with our online calculator.

On the good news front, Canadians have actually dropped their household greenhouse gas emissions! Between 1990 and 2005, household GHGs dropped by 4.5%.

With such a big impact, even small choices can make a big difference. Choices such as taking a shorter shower, or turning the temperature down on your hot water tank, or taking transit to work once a week.